Briefly: McGirt signs with Tar Heels

Emanuel McGirt, a 6-foot-5, 271-pound offensive tackle at Hillside High School, ended what was becoming one of the most contested recruiting battles in the Southeastern United States on Tuesday last week when he tweeted, “I’m officially committed to the University of North Carolina!” #TarHeels.

Emanuel McGirt, a 6-foot-5, 271-pound offensive tackle at Hillside High School, ended what was becoming one of the most contested recruiting battles in the Southeastern United States on Tuesday last week when he tweeted, “I’m officially committed to the University of North Carolina!” #TarHeels.

“His recruitment really didn’t take off this spring like I thought it would, but for the last two months he has been one of the hottest players around,” said Michael Clark, a recruiting specialist for Scout.com.

“Florida, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and South Carolina all were involved. And they all really wanted him. It came down to Carolina, N.C. State and Georgia, I think, and UNC did a great job to get him.”

Clark said McGirt has tremendous potential.

“He is an exceptional athlete who moves very well,” Clark said. “He is a guy who will be able to carry 320, 330 pounds with no problem. He is an extremely high character guy that plays in a program with a history of developing players. Hillside’s Antonio King is one of the best coaches in the state. When players leave his program, they are ready.”

Tim Stevens - newsobserver.com

Preseason honor for NCCU’s Billerman

N.C. Central junior transfer Quinn Billerman has been named the Sporting News MEAC Newcomer of the Year.

At New Mexico Military Institute, Billerman threw for 1,928 yards and 14 TDs as a freshman before his record-setting sophomore year. In 2013, he set single-season records in passing yards (2,962) and touchdowns (34).

Billerman, a Raleigh native and son of former Duke basketball standout Kevin Billerman, is Raleigh Ravenscroft’s all-time leading passer with 6,152 yards and 62 touchdowns.